Wolves slated to join AHL

Expanded league reportedly taking 5 other IHL clubs

May 11, 2001|By Bob Foltman, Tribune staff reporter.

The Board of Governors of the American Hockey League voted unanimously Thursday to approve a "process by which the league would enter into a significant expansion prior to the 2001-02 season," according to a statement.

That expansion could involve the demise of the International Hockey League. According to a published report, six IHL teams, including the Wolves, will join an expanded AHL. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Grand Rapids Griffins, Utah Grizzlies, Milwaukee Admirals, Houston Aeros and Manitoba Moose will join the Wolves in the AHL.

That would leave five IHL teams--Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and Orlando--on the outside. Cleveland was taken over by the league in midseason, and Detroit and Orlando are rumored to be suspending operations for next season.

Reached in Winnipeg, where the Wolves faced the Manitoba Moose in Game 3 of the Western Conference final Thursday night, Wolves general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff knew only of the rumors surrounding an impending merger.

"We're still the IHL until everyone has voted, if [a merger] is even a possibility," he said. Cheveldayoff said he has submitted dates for next season to the IHL offices.

"It's not like the IHL is saying, `Let's not even bother [planning for next season]'" he said.

The release from the AHL went on to say, "The league anticipates concluding negotiations with a number of expansion applicants within the next two weeks and will announce the operational specifics of the expanded AHL at the conclusion of the Calder Cup playoffs."

The AHL has become the league of choice for NHL teams to develop players. The Blackhawks' main farm team is in Norfolk in the AHL's Mid-Atlantic Division. It's believed NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman envisions one main minor-league with an affiliate for each of the NHL's 30 teams. If six IHL teams join the AHL next year, the league would have 26 teams.

"There has been a lot of talk of having one unified type of league at the development level," Cheveldayoff said. "That's been the thought and wish of the NHL for a long time.

"The biggest thing we like to focus on is we have a game back in Chicago Sunday night," Cheveldayoff said of a potential series-clinching Game 5. "The Chicago Wolves are committed to staying in Chicago."